Egyptian cotton is high quality cotton and quite a rare commodity. Here in the UK it is difficult to get it, particularly as the staple is grown in Turkey and exported. However, the good news is that it is possible to get hold of some good Egyptian cotton bedding.

How Egyptian cotton is grown?

The staple (fiber) of Egyptian cotton is grown in what is called the “Darb el Ahmar”. Darb el Ahmar is the desert that stretches from Sudan to the Red Sea. The staple is then taken from these areas and shipped to spinning mills in Turkey.

What is Egyptian cotton?

To be classified and labelled Egyptian cotton, the cotton has to be grown in Egypt and Egyptian mills have to be involved in the process. Cotton that qualifies as Egyptian cotton must then be processed in Egyptian mills before being exported as Egyptian cotton. For example, Egyptian cotton sheets must use 100% Egyptian cotton. Cotton that comes from countries other than Egypt can be labeled as Egyptian cotton, however, it must contain less than 51% Egyptian cotton. Get more info about black egyptian cotton bedding

Advantages of Egyptian cotton

Here are a few of the reasons the sheets and bedding made from Egyptian cotton are better quality.

Higher thread count

Egyptian cotton is considered the best quality cotton in the world. The staple is so fine that the highest thread count is 400. A normal cotton sheet thread count is around 120. These sheets are made from 100% Egyptian cotton.

Better feel

Because of the high thread count, Egyptian cotton sheets feel silky smooth. The superior thread count allows the fibers to bend and align with each other, providing softness and comfort.

The thread of Egyptian cotton is finer that cotton from any other country in the world.

Cotton from many countries contain dyes. These dyes are much coarser and can make sheets feel rough or stiff. Egyptian cotton is dyed using natural vegetable dyes. It therefore retains its natural look and feel.

Softer against your skin

Even though higher thread count sheets are more expensive than lower thread count sheets, they are well worth the extra money. The higher thread count of the sheets means that you can launder them at a lower temperature. This reduces the amount of chemicals and water used to wash the sheets.

There are a few things to look out for when shopping for Egyptian cotton bedding.

Quality of the cotton

Not all Egyptian cotton is equal. Some suppliers use substandard cotton and this can be picked up when initially trying the sheets on. Higher thread count sheets generally feel better and smoother, however, they do cost a little more than lower quality sheets.

Thread count

If at all possible, go for 100% Egyptian cotton sheets. Although there may be some slight variations in the cotton, 100% Egyptian cotton sheets offer the best quality.

Cotton finish

Egyptian cotton sheets can be either flat, percale or sateen. Although sateen is the softest option, it is also the most expensive. Percale is the cheapest and typically offers the best quality.

Fabric

Go for a satin weave, as this finish is more durable against pilling. It is also very smooth and soft.

Conclusion

Good quality Egyptian cotton bedding offers pure comfort. It does not get any better than this.